Functional Pedal Mechanism

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a pedal mechanism for use in a bicycle, ergometer or other therapy, rehabilitation or fitness device for active and/or passive bending and stretching of the legs or for carrying out combined movement sequences that include this movement. The pedal mechanism substantially comprises a support ( 19 ) and a shoe support ( 15 ) that is movably arranged on the support ( 19 ). The support ( 19 ) is rotatably arranged on a pedal shaft ( 17 ) by means of the bearing sleeves ( 21 ). The pedal shaft ( 17 ) is non-rotatably connected to a sleeve ( 23 ). The sleeve ( 23 ) has a guide groove ( 25 ) in which a cam arranged on the shoe support ( 15 ) engages. When the pedal shaft ( 17 ) is rotated relative to the shoe support ( 15 ) the shoe support ( 15 ) is swivelled.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a pedal mechanism of a bicycle, fitness,rehabilitation or other device which is used in actively and/orpassively bending and stretching the legs according to thepre-characterising clause of Claim 1.

PRIOR ART

DE-A-43 46 183 relates to a bicycle pedal which has the property ofimproving blood circulation in the arch of the foot. For this purpose amassaging organ is provided on the pedal which on downward pedallingpushes on the arch of the foot and rolls thereon. The massaging organcomprises an eccentric part permanently arranged on the pedal shaft andwhich is coupled to the pedal shaft so as to rotate therewith. When thepedal crank arm is actuated the eccentric part executes a swivellingmovement in a plane which is parallel to the plane of the pedal crankweb. The eccentric part can be spherical or pear-shaped, in other wordsit projects from the plane of the shoe support.

DE 299-01-785-U1 discloses a connecting system for a bicycle pedal whichpreferably provides for effective decoupling between pedal and shoe inthe event of a fall. The notch provided for this purpose in the regionof the ball of the foot allows greater range of movement in the heelregion.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,324 discloses a pedal arrangement for bicycles whichmay be arranged on the pedal crank at a predetermined angle. Rotation ofthe pedal crank varies the angle of inclination of the pedal. The angleof inclination of the pedal is the total of a first incremental angle ofinclination, which is determined by a bevelled cam, and a secondincremental angle of inclination, which is provided by an inclined pedalplatform.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,915 discloses a pedal for use on any pedal-poweredvehicles or devices and which can be adjusted in one to three planes.The pedal platform is swivellable and inclinable about a radial axiswhich is perpendicular to the pedal shaft. The platform may also beadjusted in terms of height by way of a spacing means. What issignificant however is that a position of the pedal platform, onceassumed, is fixed by means of pins, so during revolution of the pedalthere is no mobility of the pedal platform with respect to the pedalshaft.

FR-A-2 661 651 discloses a bicycle pedal which during its revolutionallows tilting of the pedal. The pedal platform rests on a centrallyarranged bearing which allows rotation and tilting of the pedal. Theextent of the tilting movement can be adjusted by a cone which isscrewed onto the pedal shaft and is adjustably arranged thereon.

The prior art does not for example allow any rotational movement,required by the human functional anatomy, in the heel region of the footwhich leads to a swivelling-rotational movement in the longitudinal axisof the foot (free or forced).

In the meantime it has become known that owing to the complex structureand function of the legs and feet, the human body is not compatible withrigidly progressing movements. To a large extent these aspects play apart in cycling, a form of movement and stress with a wide variety ofadaptive requirements for coordination between structural elementspredetermined by the bicycle construction and which demand forcedmovements and postures, and the human body and the kinematics, staticsand functional concept thereof. In the writer's opinion these arecontrary to a considerable extent. Apart from the positive conditioningand muscle training effect the wheel, in terms of its currentconstructional and functional elements, is a considerable destructor forhuman supporting apparatus.

Functional, Morphological Requirement—Description:

While, when the knee is bent, the human knee and foot allow a high rangeof movement, in particular in terms of the rotation and position withrespect to each other, during the course of stretching, and thereforewhen transferring loads and forces, they increasingly demand an outwardrotation of the foot with respect to the knee. The axis of rotationmorphologically required for this is located in the region of the heels.The reasons for this lie inter alia with the axial skeleton, with whatis referred to as the external tibial rotation that is determined by theligaments, and in particular the morphological tibia torsion ofapproximately 20 degrees.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a newpedal mechanism. The pedal mechanism should in particular provide anexpedient solution that better matches the functional anatomy andmorphology of the human body.

Description

According to the invention the object is achieved by a pedal mechanismaccording to the pre-characterising clause of Claim 1 in which the shoesupport is movably arranged on the support in such a way that aswivelling movement at an angle to the longitudinal extension of theshoe support is made possible. The longitudinal axis is taken to meanthe axis which extends in the longitudinal extension of a foot arrangedon the shoe support. The movable shoe supporting surface has theadvantage that at least one further plane of movement necessary for asequence of movement corresponding to the morphology is added, i.e. witha circular pedalling movement or stretching movement of the legs, thefoot can adopt a natural position, corresponding to the physiologicalconditions, relative to the rest of the body (free mobility). The pedalmechanism according to the invention has the advantage moreover that thefunctional anatomical kinesiology is satisfied and therefore theconventional stress-related damage to the knees and ankle joints doesnot occur. Use of the pedal mechanism according to the invention allowsa swivelling movement in the plane of the shoe support for the firsttime.

The swivelling movement preferably extends along a curved path ofmovement. A swivelling movement along a curved path, preferably with aswivel guide in the region of the heels, is particularly advantageousphysiologically. The curved path can for example correspond to acircular or elliptical path. According to a particularly preferredembodiment of the invention the shoe support can be swivelled in a planewhich is parallel to the pedal shaft. This swivelling capacity of theshoe support is generally sufficient to counteract the knownstress-related damage.

According to a preferred embodiment a forced swivelling movement may begenerated in the plane of the shoe support in that a groove in a camtrack form is formed on the pedal shaft and at the lower side of theshoe support a cam is formed and the cam meshes in the groove. A sleevemay however also be provided in which the cam track is formed and whichis placed and fixed on the pedal shaft. The shoe support can beelongated in construction, so the entire foot can be supported thereonand may be embedded therein.

The shoe support is advantageously guided, by means of at least oneslide/rail system provided on the support in a plane extending parallelto the pedal shaft, along a straight or curved path of movement. This isa simple and expedient construction to conform with the functionalanatomy and morphology of the human body. One possible embodimentprovides that the support has a heel support on which the shoe supportis rotatably mounted, for example in the manner of a ball-and-socketjoint, in the heel region.

The path of movement of the slide may be curved in the plane of the shoesupport (two-dimensional) and in a specific embodiment also be curvedout of the plane of the shoe support (three-dimensional path ofmovement). In the second case the foot executes a tilting movement inaddition to the swivelling movement. This may for example be broughtabout in that a cam track is formed on the pedal shaft and connected tothe shoe support in such a way that when the support rotates about thepedal shaft the shoe support executes a swivelling movement in the planeof the shoe support and out of this plane again. For example a truncatedcone-shaped sleeve with a cam track may be non-rotatably arranged on thepedal shaft. In this case the shoe support can be supported on thetruncated cone-shaped sleeve or the cam track on the one hand and on thepedal shaft on the other hand.

According to a preferred embodiment a slide is arranged on the supportso it can be reciprocated and is reciprocated during operation by a gearwhich is driven by the pedal shaft that is non-rotatably connected tothe pedal crank. As a result of this construction the shoe support isactively reciprocated during operation. One possible embodiment providesthat provided on the support are two guide rods on which the slide isarranged so it can be reciprocated, that provided on the slide is a camwhich engages in a first guideway on the pedal shaft permanentlyconnected to the pedal crank, and that provided on the support is asecond guideway in which a pin arranged on the shoe support engages. Aswivelling and rotational movement can therefore be brought about by thetwo guideways.

A further embodiment provides that pivotally arranged on the support isan angle lever which with a first arm cooperates with the slide and withthe second arm cooperates with an eccentric disc non-rotatably connectedto the pedal shaft. During operation the angle lever is reciprocated bythe eccentric disc and thus forces a corresponding movement of the slideand the shoe support arranged thereon. A further embodiment providesthat provided on the support is a gear which is driven by the pedalshaft that is non-rotatably connected to the pedal crank, that providedon the gear is a movement converter (drive wheel) which is connected viaa linkage to the slide. The rotational movement of the pedal shaft isconverted into a reciprocal movement of the slide by the gear. As aresult of the fact that at the back the support has an elongateextension to which a lever that is connected to the slide is rotatablylinked, the slide can be reciprocated along a circular path.

The present invention also relates to a bicycle, ergometer or othertherapy, rehabilitation or fitness device for active and/or passivebending and stretching of the legs or for carrying out combined movementsequences that include this movement, in particular the complex movementsequences as a consequence thereof of the feet, comprising a pedalmechanism according to the invention.

The pedal mechanism is advantageously arranged on a pedal crank arm insuch a way that the longitudinal axis of the shoe support, in theuppermost position of the pedal crank arm, extends substantiallyparallel to a plane which is defined by the rotating pedal crank arm,and in the lowermost position of the pedal crank arm, the longitudinalaxis of the shoe support is arranged at an angle to this plane, i.e. thetoe-end points outwards at least in a lowermost position. The pedalmechanism may also be arranged on a known movement rail. A movementconverter is preferably provided which converts a stretching movementinto a rotation of a pedal shaft. The rotating pedal shaft may thenbring about a swivelling movement of the shoe support. Use of a leverarrangement which brings about swivelling of the shoe support onstretching of the leg is also conceivable.

The invention will be described by way of example hereinafter withreference to the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a pedal mechanismaccording to the invention comprising pedal and shoe support;

FIG. 2 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 1 in a front view;

FIG. 3 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 1 in a side view;

FIG. 4 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 1 in a plan view;

FIG. 5 a shows a plan view, partially in section, of a second embodimentof the pedal mechanism with a slide/rail system;

FIG. 5 b schematically and in cross-section shows the pedal mechanism ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 6 schematically shows a third embodiment of the pedal mechanismwith a path of movement curved in a trough shape;

a) in the case of the upper pedal crank arm position and

b) in the case of the lower pedal crank arm position;

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the pedal mechanismwith a cam track arranged on a truncated cone and a heel support as wellas a telescopically extendable pedal shaft;

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the pedal mechanism with a two-partshoe supporting surface and without heel support;

FIGS. 9 a and b schematically show the position of the shoe supportingsurface in various pedal crank arm positions in the embodimentsaccording to FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 a schematically shows a sixth embodiment of a pedal mechanismwith a slide-rail system (only rail system illustrated) with two pedalsupports curved in a trough-shape arranged on the support with a camtrack shape in the plane of the shoe support and cam track shape curvedin a trough-shape with respect to the plane of the shoe support;

FIG. 10 b shows a pedal support curved in a trough-shape according toFIG. 10 a;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a pedal mechanism according to theinvention;

FIG. 12 shows a front view of the pedal mechanism of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of the pedal mechanism of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the pedal mechanism of FIG. 11 frombelow;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the pedal mechanism of FIG. 11 fromabove;

FIG. 16 shows a plan view of a seventh embodiment of a pedal mechanismwith a reciprocal slide and a restricted guidance to generate aswivelling movement;

FIG. 17 shows a side view of the pedal mechanism of FIG. 16

FIG. 18 shows a front view of the pedal mechanism of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 shows a first perspective view of the pedal mechanism fromabove;

FIG. 20 shows a second perspective view of the pedal mechanism fromabove;

FIG. 21 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 16 with shoe support in planview;

FIG. 22 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 21 in a side view;

FIG. 23 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 21 in a front view;

FIG. 24 shows a first perspective view of the pedal mechanism of FIG.21;

FIG. 25 shows a second perspective view of the pedal mechanism of FIG.21;

FIG. 26 shows an eighth embodiment of a pedal mechanism in plan view;

FIG. 27 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 26 in a front view;

FIG. 28 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 26 in a side view;

FIG. 29 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 26 in a perspective view;

FIG. 30 shows a ninth embodiment of a pedal mechanism in plan view;

FIG. 31 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 30 in a side view;

FIG. 32 shows the pedal mechanism of FIG. 30 in a perspective view;

FIG. 33 shows a section of the pedal mechanism along the line 33-33 ofFIG. 32;

FIG. 34 shows a back view of a pedal mechanism according to theinvention in the upper position of the pedal crank

-   -   a) in a back view    -   b) in plan view.

FIG. 35 shows a back view of a pedal mechanism according to theinvention in the lower position of the pedal crank

-   -   a) in a back view    -   b) in plan view.

FIG. 36 shows a schematic illustration of a movement rail as is used inrehabilitation in orthopaedic surgery.

The pedal mechanism 11 according to the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1to 4 is intended for assembly on a pedal crank arm 13 or a differenttype of pedal member, for example a bicycle, ergometer, stepper, etc.The pedal mechanism 11 comprises a support 19 which is rotatablymounted, for example on a pedal shaft 17, and on which a shoe support 15is arranged. Within the scope of the present invention support isintended to designate the entire substructure on which the shoe supportis arranged. The shoe support for example comprises an elongated platewhich can have the contours of a foot (FIG. 4). The support 19 isrotatably arranged on the pedal shaft 17 by means of the bearing bushes21. In the leading region of the shoe support 15 are provided two guideslots 20 (FIG. 4) which are located on a cam track with the swivel guide22. The slots 20 are each penetrated by a screw 24. The screws 24 arescrewed into the support 19 and guide and delimit, by variablepositions, the swivelling movement of the shoe support 15.

According to the preferred embodiment of a pedal shown in FIGS. 1 to 4,a sleeve 23 is mounted between the bearing bushes 21 on the pedal shaft17. A cam track in the form of a guide groove 25 is provided in thecasing of the sleeve 23. The sleeve 23 is non-rotatably connected to thepedal shaft 17 by means of an adjustable fixing device, for example astud bolt (not visible in the figure). A cam 27 which is provided on thelower side of the shoe support 15 engages in the guide groove 25. Theshoe support 15 is supported on the sleeve 23 or the pedal shaft 17 byway of the cam 27. In the region of the heel the shoe support 15 isswivel-mounted by means of a pin 29, which engages in a hole 31 in thesupport 19, in a plane parallel to the pedal shaft 17. In FIG. 4 thecourse of the cam track is shown by reference numeral 33 (broken line).

The pedal mechanism according to the invention functions as follows:during cycling the pedal crank arm is driven, with the pedal shaft 17that is non-rotatably connected to the pedal crank arm 13 also beingrotated. The rotational movement of the pedal shaft 17 also causes thesleeve 23 that is permanently connected to the pedal shaft 17 to rotate.In the process the guide groove 25, by way of the cam 27 guided in theguide grove 25, forces a lateral swivelling movement of the shoe support15 corresponding to the course of the cam track 25. Consequently acontinuous change in position may be achieved for the foot. When thepedal crank arm is positioned at the top, the longitudinal axis of thefoot—with bent knee—points forward. When the pedal crank arm ispositioned at the bottom, the longitudinal axis of the foot—withstretched knee—points outward. By combining axial movements with eachother, joint positions that conform to anatomy and kinesiology, such assupination position with bent knee and pronation position of the footwith stretched knee, may also be achieved and converted into needs-basedcontinuity of movement. If the sleeve 23 is omitted a pedal or a pedalmechanism 11 is obtained which allows the user's feet to beautomatically guided into the most suitable angular position withrespect to the body.

The swivelling/rotational movement is advantageously combined with aninclined movement of the pedal shaft. This inclined movement canbasically take place in the same manner as is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,199,324. The content of this specification is hereby incorporated bymeans of reference. In contrast to U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,324 however, fromfunctional anatomical perspectives the pedal should be mounted on thepedal crank in such a way that in the uppermost position it executes aninclination toward the ground and in the lowermost position aninclination away from the floor.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the shoesupport may also be swivelled about an axis 22 which is located in theheel region and is at a right angle to the pedal shaft. In FIG. 5 a theshoe support 15 is arranged via a rail-slide system 35 on the pedalshaft 17 or on the bearing bushes 21. At least one guide rail or guidegroove 37, which for example forms a detail of a circumference, of whichthe swivel guide 22 is located in the region of the heels, allows aswivelling movement sequence. A guide member 38, for example a slidingbolt or the like, engages in the guide groove 37. In the upper verticalpedal crank arm position the longitudinal axis 12 of the shoe supportmay thus be parallel to the plane in which the pedal crank arm moves.From here it may move downward, more or less automatically or trained bya movement pattern, in any case analogous to the forced sequence due tothe tibia torsion however, and outward, i.e. out of the plane. In thelower vertical pedal crank arm position the toe-end may therefore pointoutward to the maximum. The movement transitions are fluid. The swivelangle a (designated by reference numeral 16 in FIG. 5 a) is formed bythe changing positions of the longitudinal axis 12 of the foot in theswivelling plane. In contrast to the illustrated embodiment it is alsoconceivable for the guide groove 37 to be provided at the lower side ofthe shoe support 15 and the guide member on the support.

FIG. 5 b shows the rail-slide solution 35, illustrated in FIG. 5 a, insection. Opposing the shoe support 15 there is provided on the pedalmechanism 11 a device for generating a predetermined, desired positionof the shoe supporting surface in accordance with the centre of gravity.This device can for example be in the form of a weighted shape 39 thatis provided on the lower side. The weighted shape 39 causes the shoesupport 15 to point upward and to tend in a horizontal, or almosthorizontal, position.

According to a development of the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 a andb the rail or the rails are also convexly curved (FIG. 6 a). The shoesupport 15 can accordingly execute combined movements. FIG. 6 a showsthe possible position of the shoe support 15 if the pedal crank arm 13points upward. FIG. 6 a shows the possible position of the shoe supportif the pedal crank arm 13 points downward. Basically, the rail-slidesolution can however also be constructed between shoe and shoesupporting surface.

The pedal mechanism according to the invention has the followingadvantages: the rotational movement, known per se, of the pedal aboutthe pedal shaft (ensures dorsal extension and plantar flexion of thefoot in the upper ankle joint) is supplemented by a swivelling movementin the plane of the shoe supporting surface (ensures the rotationalrequirement by the tibia torsion) and may also be supplemented by atilting movement. This unlimited freedom of movement allows a supinationand pronation movement of the lower ankle joint for the first time. Theaxis of this “supination movement” runs analogously to that of the lowerankle joint.

This developed embodiment of the pedal mechanism thus conforms to thecharacter of an at least three-axis joint which allows the foot to adoptany desired position in a space. Joint movements in one plane may beaccompanied by accessory movements in the remaining planes. One-axismovements may be converted into combined and complex movements.

The embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 5 a and b and/orFIGS. 6 a and b may comprise a heel support construction analogous toFIGS. 1 to 4 which may be rotatably mounted or mounted in the manner ofa ball-and-socket joint.

The embodiment according to FIG. 7 provides that the pedal shaft 17 andthe pedal mechanism 11 are coupled to each other in such a way that witha rotation about the pedal shaft 17 the pedal mechanism 11 or the shoesupport 15 executes a swivelling movement and in addition a tiltingmovement out of the plane of the swivelling movement. This type ofmovement pattern of the pedal or the shoe support may be achieved bymeans of a cam track 33 formed on the pedal shaft or on the lower sideof the shoe support and which is provided on a truncated cone 41. Theshoe support 15 can in the process be supported on the one hand by asupport bracket 14 or directly on the cam track 33 or the truncated cone41, and equally on the other hand by the support bracket 14 or directlyon a telescopically displaceable bearing bush 43 which can run on or inthe pedal shaft 17.

If the shoe support 15 is constructed in one piece an inclination of theentire shoe support thus results. If the shoe support is of two-part ormulti-part construction an inclination of only the forefoot may beachieved.

FIG. 8 shows a pedal mechanism, which has been modified with respect tothe embodiment of FIG. 7, without heel support construction and in whichthe shoe support is constructed in two parts. A resilient connectingelement 45 is provided between the leading and the trailing parts of theshoe supporting surface 15′ and 15″ respectively.

FIGS. 9 a and b show the novel pedal mechanism mounted on a pedal crankin two different positions.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b show a pedal mechanism with a rail-slide system(only rail system illustrated) with two pedal supports 47, which aretrough-shaped in section, provided on the pedal mechanism and at theinner side of which a guide groove 33 has been worked in. The guidegroove 33 extends in such a way that a swivelling movement in a planeparallel to the pedal shaft 17 and a tilting movement out of this planeare made possible. On displacement of the shoe support 15 from oneextreme position into the other, in which the shoe support is tilted, ittherefore passes through a valley in which the shoe support extendsparallel to the pedal shaft.

In principle it is conceivable for the swivelling movement and/ortilting movement of the shoe supporting surface to be brought about by acam and/or coupler mechanism. The mechanism and/or the mechanismcombinations may be positioned as connecting members between pedalcrank, pedal crank arm, pedal shaft, support and foot supporting surfaceand/or be constructed and positioned in any desired interaction.

The pedal mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 15 corresponds to acommercial embodiment of the pedal mechanism of FIGS. 1 to 4. Lugs 51with slots 53 are provided on the side of the shoe support 15 and areused for fastening a shoe with the aid of straps (not shown). A heelsupport 54 is used to support the shoe support 15 in the heel region.The heel support 54 is arranged with its first end on the bearing bushes21 and articulated with its second end to the shoe support (pivot point22). A pin 29, which is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 56, allows theshoe support 15 to swivel along a cam track.

The pedal mechanism 11 according to FIGS. 16 to 25 shows a further wayin which swivelling of the shoe support 15 relative to the pedal shaft17 may be achieved. The pedal mechanism 11 has a support 19 comprising aframe 57 on which two guide rods 59 are arranged parallel to the pedalshaft 17. A slide 61 is arranged so as to reciprocate on the guide rods59. A ball bearing 63 for receiving a shoe support 15 is provided on theslide 61. On the lower side of the slide 61 there isprovided—analogously to embodiments already discussed above—a pin 29(not visible in the figures) which engages in the guideway 25 of thesleeve 23. Consequently, the slide 61 is reciprocated when the sleeve 23rotates relative to the support. A projection 65, extending over part ofthe support width, with a slot 67 is provided on the front of the frame57. The slot 67 is used as a restricted guidance for the movable shoesupport 15 and to force a combined swivelling and rotational movement ofthe shoe support 15 relative to the pedal shaft 15, as will be describedin more detail hereinafter. By omitting the sleeve 23 a pedal mechanismis obtained which allows the user's feet to be automatically guided intothe most suitable angular position with respect to the body.

The support designated by reference numeral 19 is used quite generallyto receive the shoe support 15. The shoe support 15 rests on therotatable ball bearing 63 and is therefore rotatable relative to thesupport. The shoe support 15 has a U-shaped bracket 69 which connectsthe front and back parts of the shoe support 15. A known click device71, which is used for detachably fastening a cycle shoe that is usednowadays, is also located on the shoe support. The shoe support 15 isconnected by means of four screws 73 to the ball bearing 63. A pin 75,which extends through the slot 67, is located on the lower side of theshoe support 15.

This pedal mechanism functions as follows: when the pedal mechanismrotates about the pedal shaft the slide 61 is reciprocated. The shoesupport 15 arranged on the slide 61 is guided by the pin 75 in the slot67. Since the slot 67 extends at an angle to the pedal shaft 17 the shoesupport 15 must inevitably swivel if it is displaced in the direction ofthe pedal shaft. Basically, the path described by the slot 67 can extendin a straight line or be curved.

The pedal mechanism in FIGS. 27 to 29 has an eccentric disc 77 which isnon-rotatably arranged on the pedal axis 17. In a manner similar to theprevious embodiment a slide 61 is also provided here which is movablyarranged on the pedal shaft 17. An angle lever 79 is rotatable about anaxis of rotation 22 which runs through the frame 57. The one arm 80 ofthe angle lever 79 is connected to the slide 61 and a receiver 62arranged on the slide 61, and the other arm 82 of the angle lever 79cooperates with the circumference of the eccentric disc 77. The receiver62 is used to receive a shoe support. When the pedal mechanism revolvesthe angle lever 79, and therefore the receiver, is swivelled about theaxis of rotation 81 to correspond with the variable radius of theeccentric disc 77.

The embodiment of FIGS. 30 to 33 differs from the previous ones in thata small gear 83 is provided. The pedal shaft 17 drives a movementconverter 85, which is connected by a linkage 87 to the slide 61, viagear elements (not shown). The slide 61 is reciprocated on the pedalshaft 17 by the movement converter 85. The receiver 62 is non-rotatablyconnected to a lever 81 which is articulated to the lower end of theheel support 54 and is rotatable about the pivot point 22. As a resultthe gear 83 brings about a rotation of the receiver about the pivotpoint 22 in addition to a reciprocating movement.

FIGS. 34 and 35 show a pedal mechanism of the invention according toFIGS. 16 to 25 mounted on a pedal crank arm of a bicycle. Two extremepositions, an upper position of the left-hand pedal crank arm (FIGS. 34a and 34 b) and a lower position of the left-hand pedal crank arm (FIGS.35 a and 35 b) are shown. It may clearly be seen that in the upperposition of the pedal crank arm the longitudinal axis of the shoesupport 15 extends parallel to a plane which is defined by the rotatingpedal crank arm. In the lower position of the pedal crank arm thelongitudinal axis of the shoe support 15 has executed an outwardswivelling movement.

FIG. 36 shows use of the pedal mechanism according to the invention inconnection with a movement rail 91. While with the conventional movementrail the foot is stationary when the knee bends and stretches, whenusing the pedal mechanism according to the invention mobility of thefoot is achieved. A physiological swivelling movement of the foot maytake place. In the foot region the movement rail can comprise a gearmechanism, shown here by way of example by interaction of toothed wheel93 and toothed rack 95. A swivelling movement of the foot may also beforced by this kind of gear mechanism.

The extent of the individual movements and their interaction can befixed and limited in all embodiments according to the invention byappropriate construction modules by way of their production andselection. The individual construction modules may be adapted, adjusted,exchanged and combined as required.

Desired settings and sequences may be variably executed during use.Fixing means are preferably provided between the shoe support and theshoe for detachable fastening. The fixing means may be formed by straps,mesh-like casings, a snap connection or the like. The fixing means maybe known connection systems, as are used for example in bicycles.

A spacer for fastening-side extension of the pedal shaft isadvantageously provided. This has the advantage that the “track width”of the leg position may be better satisfied. The shoe supporting surfacecan correspond in terms of size to the entire sole of the foot.

In a preferred embodiment the pedal mechanism according to the inventionhas a shoe supporting surface which matches the size of conventionalforefoot pedals.

The shoe support can be constructed with or without heel support for allembodiments according to the invention and be constructed in one, two ormultiple parts. With a two-part or multi-part construction the parts arepreferably resiliently connected to each other. The shoe support can beconstructed so as to conform with the anatomical requirements and forexample have an orthesis function.

To maintain the health of the active and passive musculoskeletal systemit is necessary not only to move it sufficiently but also to pay regardto structural, functional and axial-compliant stressing in particular.

Conventional harmful movement patterns may be corrected by a needs-basedfunctional morphological movement range. Specific mobility directionsmay also be intensified and intended extents and limits of movement maybe achieved. Movement sequences may be assisted, controlled andreproduced in accordance with findings. Passive execution of a movementmay be achieved more safely. If desired movement patters are achieved orif the test person has sufficient coordinative capacities, restrictedguidance may be dispensed with. These aspects, relating to said movementsequences, can be achieved for the first time by the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

11 pedal mechanism (pedal)

12 (foot) longitudinal axis of the shoe support

13 pedal crank arm

14 support bracket

15 a—shoe support

16 swivel angle of the shoe support

17 pedal shaft

19 support

20 guide slot

21 bearing bushes

22 swivel guide of the circular path

23 sleeve

24 screws

25 guideway

27 cam

29 pin

31 hole

33 cam track of the sleeve 23

35 rail-slide system

36 stops

37 guide rail

38 guide member

39 weighted form

41 truncated cone

43 bearing bush

45 resilient connecting element

47 pedal supports

51 lugs

53 slots

54 heel support

55 support

56 sleeve

57 frame

59 guide rods

61 slide

62 receiver

63 ball bearing

65 projection

67 slot

69 U-shaped bracket

71 click device

73 screws

75 pin

77 eccentric disc

79 angle lever

80 first arm of the angle lever

81 lever

82 second arm of the angle lever

83 gear

85 movement converter

91 movement rail

93 toothed wheel

95 toothed rack

1. A pedal mechanism for use in a bicycle, ergometer or other therapy,rehabilitation or fitness device which is used in actively or passivelybending and stretching a leg or for carrying out combined movementsequences that include this movement, in particular the complex movementsequences of the feet as a consequence thereof, comprising a support anda foot or shoe support arranged on the support, whereby the shoe supportis movably arranged on the support in such a way that a swivelingmovement at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the shoe supportis made possible.
 2. The pedal mechanism according to claim 1, whereinthe swiveling movement takes place along a curved path of movement. 3.The pedal mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a pedal shaft isprovided and the shoe support and the support are coupled to each otherin such a way that when the pedal mechanism rotates about the pedalshaft the shoe support executes a swiveling movement relative to thesupport.
 4. The pedal mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a pedalshaft is provided and the shoe support and the support are coupled toeach other in such a way that when the pedal mechanism rotates about thepedal shaft the shoe support executes a rotational and swivellingmovement relative to the support.
 5. The pedal mechanism according toclaim 1, wherein the shoe support can be swiveled in a plane which liesparallel to the pedal shaft.
 6. The pedal mechanism according to claim3, wherein mutually cooperating guide means are formed on the pedalshaft and the shoe support in such a way that when the pedal mechanismrotates the shoe support executes at least one swiveling movement in theplane of the shoe support.
 7. The pedal mechanism according to claim 3,wherein a groove or guideway is formed on the pedal shaft and a cam isformed on the shoe support and the cam meshes in the guideway.
 8. Thepedal mechanism according to claim 7, wherein a sleeve can be positionedon the pedal shaft and in which the groove or guideway is formed.
 9. Thepedal mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the shoe support isguided, by means of at least one slide or rail system provided on thepedal mechanism in a plane extending parallel to the pedal shaft, alonga path of movement.
 10. The pedal mechanism according to claim 9,wherein the path of movement corresponds to a cam track and a swivelguide located in a heel region of the support.
 11. The pedal mechanismaccording to claim 6, wherein the path of swivel movement corresponds toa cam track located in a heel the region of the support and the path ofswivel movement is also convexly curved.
 12. The pedal mechanismaccording to claim 3, wherein the support has a slide which may bereciprocated during operation by a gear which is configured to be drivenby the pedal shaft that is non-rotatably connected to a pedal crank. 13.The pedal mechanism according to claim 12, wherein provided on thesupport are two guide rods on which the slide (61) is arranged so it canbe reciprocated, wherein provided on the slide is a first cam whichengages in a first guideway on the pedal shaft and a second guideway onthe support configured to engage a second cam arranged on the shoesupport which is rotatably mounted on the slide.
 14. The pedal mechanismaccording to claim 12, wherein pivotally arranged on the support is anangle lever which with a first arm cooperates with the slide and asecond arm configured to cooperate with an eccentric disc non-rotatablyconnected to the pedal shaft.
 15. The pedal mechanism according to claim3, wherein provided on the support is a gear configured to be driven bythe pedal shaft and provided on the gear (83) is a movement converterwhich is connected via a linkage to a slide.
 16. The pedal mechanismaccording to claim 15, wherein at the back of the support a heel supportis formed and to which a lever is rotatably coupled to the slide. 17.The pedal mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the shoe support isformed by a shoe sole.
 18. The pedal mechanism according to claim 1,wherein the swiveling movement is combined with a tilting movement ofthe shoe support.
 19. The pedal mechanism according to claim 3, whereinthe pedal shaft and the shoe support are coupled to each other in such away that on a rotation about the pedal shaft, the shoe support, in theregion of a foot, also executes a tilting movement out of the plane ofthe shoe support.
 20. The pedal mechanism according to claim 3, whereina cam track is formed on the pedal shaft and is connected to the shoesupport in such a way that on rotation of the pedal mechanism about thepedal shaft the shoe support executes a swivelling movement in the planeof the shoe support and out of this plane.
 21. The pedal mechanismaccording to claim 3, wherein a truncated cone-shaped sleeve with a camtrack is non-rotatably arranged on the pedal shaft.
 22. The pedalmechanism according to claim 21, wherein the shoe support is supportedon a sleeve or cam track connected to the pedal shaft.
 23. (canceled)24. The pedal mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the pedal shaftcan be telescopically extended.
 25. The pedal mechanism according toclaim 1, wherein the shoe support is constructed according to anatomicalrequirements and has an orthesis function.
 26. The pedal mechanismaccording to claim 1, wherein provided on the support is a heel supporton which the shoe support is arranged in the heel region so as to berotatable.
 27. The pedal mechanism according to claim 3, wherein fixingmeans for detachable fastening are provided on the shoe support.
 28. Thepedal mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a spacer forfastening-side extension of the pedal shaft is provided.
 29. (canceled)30. The pedal mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the shoe supportcan be swivelled in an angular range of at least five degrees.
 31. Abicycle, ergometer or other therapy, rehabilitation or fitness devicefor active or passive bending and stretching of the legs or for carryingout combined movement sequences that include this movement, inparticular the complex movement sequences of the feet as a consequencethereof, comprising a pedal mechanism having a support and a foot orshoe support arranged on the support whereby the shoe support is movablearranged on the support in such a way that a swiveling movement at anangle to the longitudinal extension of the shoe support is madepossible.
 32. The bicycle, ergometer or other therapy, rehabilitation orfitness device according to claim 31, wherein the pedal mechanism isarranged on a pedal crank arm in such a way that the longitudinal axisof the shoe support, in the uppermost position of the pedal crank arm,extends substantially parallel to a plane which is defined by therotating pedal crank arm, and, in the lowermost position of the pedalcrank arm, the longitudinal axis of the shoe support is arranged at anangle to this plane.
 33. The bicycle, ergometer or other therapy,rehabilitation or fitness device according to claim 31, wherein thepedal mechanism is arranged on a movement rail.
 34. The bicycle,ergometer or other therapy, rehabilitation or fitness device accordingto claim 31, wherein that a movement converter is provided whichconverts a stretching movement into a rotation of a pedal shaft.